Prayers Stalled At Akbarabadi Mosque

Fearing a disruption in law and order, the Delhi Police and the Delhi government have asked Matia Mahal MLA Shoaib Iqbal not to offer prayers or carry out construction in the area where remains of a Mughal era-structure were found during Metro construction work, a few days ago. In a meeting at the chief minister’s office, which was also attended by Delhi police commissioner Neeraj Kumar, Iqbal was told to practise restraint. “The meeting was called on the insistence of the police commissioner. Hundreds of people had come together at the site on Friday and offered prayers. Traffic had to be diverted and force had to be stationed. It could have led to a law and order issue,” said a Delhi government official. While Dikshit refused to comment on the issue saying that she could not reveal everything to the media, Iqbal just said that he had been told “not to do anything at the site”. The remains of a historical structure were found during Metro construction work at Subhash Park near Jama Masjid, a few days ago. Taking initiative, Iqbal had carried out digging and found a historical wall, which he claimed was part of the Akbarabadi Mosque, built in 1650.